Mind the messenger: role of extracellular vesicle signalling in postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction

Extracellular vesicles are secreted by virtually every cell and allow the transfer of bioactive molecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids to other cell types across the body. This study of the role of extracellular vesicles and their cargo in postoperative cognitive dysfunction after hip or knee replacement surgery reports differential protein and microRNA expression in patients with postoperative cognitive decline versus improvement. This small study in a select surgical population highlights the potential for extracellular vesicles and their contents to play a signalling role in postoperative neurocognitive disorders.